Superior Children's Centre Participating in Day of Action Ahead of AGM

Wawa child care workers will be protesting this afternoon.

Superior Children's Centre Executive Director Chrystal Morden explains why they’re participating in the Day of Action.

Morden encourages the public to join in - grabbing a poster and wearing polka dots - or simply honk when driving by.

The demonstration runs from 4:30 to 5:30 this afternoon.

A major meeting's also coming up for Wawa's Superior Children's Centre.

Its annual general meeting will be held at 6 tonight, in the centre at 41 Algoma and also via Zoom - anyone wanting information should contact Chrystal Morden by emailing cmorden@sccalgoma.org

Registration Deadline of Wawa's Festival of Lights

Time's running out to sign up for a holiday season decoration contest in Wawa.

Noting the initiative's quite popular - with more participants each year - Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains the annual Festival of Lights.

Organizers say those looking to compete must sign up by noon today, so a map of participants can be prepared for Friday's launch - a link to register can be found through Wawa Recreation on social media.

Registrations are also open for floats in this year's Santa Claus Parade, which will be held December 16th - the deadline for those is December 10th.

Wawa Student Serving as Page for Ontario Legislature

A local student's living an unforgettable experience - serving as a page in the Ontario Legislature.

Wawa's Havana Thibodeau-Bello - a Grade 8 student at Ecole Saint-Joseph - is one of two Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon students selected from hundreds of applications to the Legislative Page Program - they've been working as pages since November 14th, and will continue to do so until December 8th, serving as messengers and performing other duties for MPPs and Officers of the House.

APH Reports 2 COVID-19 Deaths, More New Cases

More COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed in the region.

Algoma Public Health's reporting one in which COVID was the underlying cause of death and another in which it contributed to but was not the underlying cause, bringing the health unit's death toll since the pandemic began to 82, 61 in 2022 alone.

The health unit's also reporting 37 new cases since Thursday - 33 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, three in Central and East Algoma, and another in the Elliot Lake area - though known "high risk active" cases are down slightly, to 76, with twelve in hospital, two in ICUs - both down from Thursday's report.

LDHC Foundation Encourages Support During Giving Tuesday

With the holiday season here, residents of the Wawa area are being asked to help grant a wish from the local hospital - particularly amid a special one-day initiative.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Vice Chair Lorraine Pihelgas notes today is "Giving Tuesday", which has special support.

Foundation Chair Susan Switzer explains the one-day initiative.

Switzer notes donations can be made through the hospital website - or the Giving Tuesday website - with anyone requiring more information directed to call the Foundation at 705-856-2335, extension 3147.

Funds raised today bolster the holiday season Wish Campaign, part of the Foundation's "One for the Dunn" initiative supporting the hospital's MediTech expansion.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Fewer Active

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 39 - 35 in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District, and one in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 147 - eighteen in hospital - with ten in the northern Sudbury District, down from Friday's sixteen - the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

Wawa's Santa Claus Parade Announced

Santa is coming to Wawa - just ahead of Christmas.

Municipal Recreation Coordinator Stacey White explains the annual Santa Claus Parade is coming in mid-December - and it features the return of a pre-COVID tradition.

Registrations for the parade will be accepted until Saturday, December 10th - businesses, schools, service groups, and others are welcome to do so by emailing mcoe@wawa.cc or by calling the MMCC Pro Shop at 705-856-2244, extension 240.

White also reminds that registration for the Festival of Lights is set to close at noon Wednesday, with voting running December 2nd through 18th.

Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association Annual Cash Draw Returns

Wawa's firefighters are reminding an annual campaign is back - with a few weeks before an upcoming draw.

Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters' Association Past President Kyle Ouellet explains tickets are now available for the annual cash draw, which offers a few possible prizes.

Oullet notes it supports local fire services.

Ouellet reminds tickets are available in the community - particularly through firefighters - with the $1000 "Early Bird" draw to be held December 10th, and the remaining draws on Valentine's Day and at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Rising Number in Northern Sudbury District

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.

In its latest report, Public Health Sudbury and Districts shows 43 more - 26 in Greater Sudbury, ten in the broader Sudbury District, and seven in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 158 - 21 in hospital - with sixteen in the northern Sudbury District, up from Wednesday's twelve (the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

Wawa's Dr. Anjali Oberai Named Ontario Family Physician of the Year

A Wawa doctor's been named the Ontario Family Physician of the Year.

Dr. Anjali Oberai's rather humble about receiving the Ontario College of Family Physicians's Reg L. Perkins Award, but says she is grateful.

Dr. Oberai has a familiar story about her time in Wawa.

In addition to duties as a family physician locally, Dr. Oberai also has a couple roles with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, including associate professor.

Superior East OPP Closing Downtown Wawa Detachment

Wawa's downtown police station is closing.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police are vacating the detachment - which they've used since Wawa disbanded the Wawa Police Service and fully switched to OPP-based policing in February 2011, as it is the former Wawa Police station - this afternoon, though Constable Ashley Nickle assures that won't negatively impact service.

Constable Nickle notes there were still be multiple options to contact the OPP after today.

Nickle also notes non-urgent matters can also be called in "after hours" at 1-888-310-1122 - with "minor crimes" able to be reported through the OPP's online reporting system on its website - but stresses calling 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.

APH Reports New But Declining COVID-19 Cases

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region - but the number "active" is declining.

Algoma Public Health's reporting an overall rise of twelve cases - with eleven more in the Sault Ste. Marie area, one more in Central and East Algoma, and another in North Algoma, while Elliot Lake's case count has been reduced by one - though known "high risk active" cases are down to 83, the lowest in months, with 18 in hospital, three in ICUs.

The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting its 124 COVID-related death, along with 137 new cases - it no longer reports "active" case counts, but does show 31 in hospital, three in ICUs - and it's also reporting 80 new lab-confirmed cases of influenza.

Chapleau's Olde Fashioned Christmas Arrives

Chapleau's celebrating Christmas a little early.

Chapleau Firefighter's Association President Jim Apsey explains the Olde Fashioned Christmas and Santa Claus Parade are a long-running tradition put on by the association, to get people out having fun and into the festive spirit.

Apsey welcomes anyone who wants to join in the parade, asking they meet by Our Lady of Fatima school around 5:30 tonight, so the parade can head downtown at 6, followed by a tree lighting ceremony and Santa downtown.

Shine the Light on Woman Abuse Campaign Continues As 16 Days of Action Begin

Wawa remains wrapped in purple as a campaign in solidarity with abused women reaches an important period.

CHADWIC Home Program Supervisor Bonnie Ross explains the purple - which represents "courage, survival and honour", symbolizing the fight to end woman abuse - shows support for the "Shine the Light on Woman Abuse" campaign, which has a few goals.

Thanking everyone who's shown support, Ross reminds today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marking the start of the 16 Days of Action on Violence Against Women, which end on December 10th, which is Human Rights Day.

Wawa Rotary Online Auction Nearing End

Time is running out to place a bid in the Rotary Club of Wawa's largest annual fundraiser.

Wawa Rotary Online Auction Committee Chair Bill Devries explains the auction - which has been underway since Sunday - helps the local club support a number of different causes.

Devries notes the Rotary Club also has a charity, that has supported various medical-related needs.

Devries also highlights the pending return of a program that tests the hearing and vision of young school children, so they can be referred to a specialist, if needed.

Bidding for the auction closes at 10 o'clock Saturday night - a link to the online auction can be found on JJAM FM's website, jjamfm.live - with the winning bidders to then be contacted with details on getting their items.

Application Deadline fo Wawa Christmas Hampers

Time is running out for those looking for help from a Wawa tradition: the Christmas Hampers.

Christmas Hamper Fund President Richard Watson explains the hampers offer a few items to brighten the season.

Watson reminds it's meant to help those in need, encouraging anyone who may need support to apply - or if you know someone who might, let the committee know.

Applications can be found at the Town Hall or the Thrift Barn, but must be submitted at the Town Hall by the end of the day today - recipients will be contacted, with the hampers to be distributed in mid-December.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Slight Decline in Northern Sudbury District

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 32 in Greater Sudbury, four in the broader Sudbury District, and three in the Manitoulin District, though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 143, with 25 in hospital, one in an ICU.

The number of "active" cases in the northern Sudbury District is also down slightly, to twelve - the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

The health unit's holding a vaccination clinic for those at least twelve or older at its Chapleau office today - book through the provincial system or call the health unit.

North Algoma's moved to appointments rather than clinics - in Wawa, call the local Algoma Public Health office; in Dubreuilville, the Dubreuilville Medical Centre; in White River, the Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

APH Reports 80th COVID-19 Death, Plus New Case in North Algoma

Another COVID-19 death's been confirmed in the region.

Algoma Public Health's reporting its 80th - the 59th this year alone - but is giving few details except that COVID contributed to but was not the underlying cause of death - the health unit last reported a death last Tuesday.

The health unit's also reporting 51 new cases since Thursday - 44 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, six in Central and East Algoma, and another in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - though known "high risk active" cases are down slightly, to 97, with hospitalizations down to 20, including three in ICUs.

LDHC Foundation Launches Holiday Wish Campaign

With the holiday season here, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's asking residents to help grant a wish from the local hospital.

The Foundation's launched its annual Wish Campaign in partnership with Alamos Gold - who's donated $5000 - and Foundation Chair Susan Switzer explains the initiative.

Vice-Chair Lorraine Pihelgas notes donors will be publicly recognized.

The Wish Campaign supports the Foundation's "One for the Dunn" initiative supporting the hospital's MediTech expansion, which has a goal of raising $140,000.

The Foundation also reminds next Tuesday, November 29th, is "Giving Tuesday" - they've partnered with Northern Lights Ford for that - encouraging other businesses to join in and help the Foundation raise $15,000 in 24 hours - and they note the 50/50 Campaign's also underway, with the big draw to be made December 15th.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Active Count Jumps for Northern Sudbury District

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region - with a jump in the northern Sudbury District.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 54 new cases - 38 in Greater Sudbury, fourteen in the broader Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 146, with 26 in hospital, two in ICUs.

The number of "active" cases in the northern Sudbury District has skyrocketed from the two reported Friday to thirteen - the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

The health unit's holding vaccination clinics at its Chapleau office tomorrow and Thursday, the latter for those at least twelve or older - book through the provincial system or call the health unit.

North Algoma's moved to appointments rather than clinics - in Wawa, call the local Algoma Public Health office; in Dubreuilville, the Dubreuilville Medical Centre; in White River, the Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.